Forza Horizon 5 was one of the biggest games featured during this past week's E3 2021 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. Not only was it a surprise announcement, but it was confirmed for release in 2021 with a variety of gameplay footage. Forza Horizon 5 will be Playground Games' biggest open-world racing game yet, with a new setting based in Mexico. One of the showcase's understated reveals was Forza Horizon 5's Event Lab mode, which Xbox is now sharing more information about.
With regards to how robust the Events Lab mode is in Forza Horizon 5, creative director Mike Brown goes so far as saying that it's based on Playground's own internal design tools. Forza Horizon 5 players obviously won't have the kind of freedom as Playground's designers, but Brown does say that it's a similar tool that's been altered so it's fit for use from players. These tools, however, are "very much meant for game developers," Brown clarifies.
In more specifics, Brown says that the Events Lab tool to create custom game modes is built on a "rules-based system." In other words, players will create events where if something happens, a different action occurs or an alternative outcome is reached. As an example, in the Forza Horizon 5 trailer that teased Events Lab, several large bowling pins were shown. Each time a bowling pin was struck by a vehicle, the result would be 5,000 points added to a player's score.
Another feature that Brown describes can be manipulated by Forza Horizon 5 players in the Events Lab is object weight/gravity. Brown describes how players will be able to either make vehicles heavier or reduce the gravity imposed on them so that they can float. Suffice to say, Forza players will be able to get uniquely creative with their custom creations. There are likely many more features available beyond what Brown's highlighted.
The last detail that Brown shares about the Events Lab isn't an aspect of custom game creation itself, but rather how Playground plans to feature great game modes. Playground says that standout custom game modes from the Events Lab will be promoted. This includes promotion in Forza Horizon 5's rotating Festival Playlist, as well as in the Horizon Open open-world PvP experience.
Suffice to say, if Playground truly wants to deliver the biggest Forza Horizon yet then a robust custom game creator is a must. Yet implementing a custom game creator alongside a massive open-world multiplayer game is no simple task. Playground is marketing Events Lab as the kind of custom game creator that players really want. Players will get to see for themselves later this year.
Forza Horizon 5 releases November 9 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.